Schools

Construction fencing going up Feb. 19 by Brush High School

No major change to traffic patterns, parking, entrances until March 5

By Jenni Grubbs

Fort Morgan Times

Posted:
02/12/2018 05:53:38 PM MST

The first signs of construction on the new high school/middle school campus in Brush will show up Feb. 19 when fencing is installed around the project perimeter, according to Brush Superintendent Dr. Bill Wilson.

But the restrictions on traffic patterns, parking and access to entrances related to the construction project will not start for two more weeks after that, he said.

Brush School District has contracted with Adolfson & Peterson Construction, GMCN Architects and owner's representative Cooperative Strategies on the large construction project. Office trailers, equipment and materials are expected to start arriving March 5, and that is when the school district expects to greatly limit access to Brush High School from Mill Street, a school district news release stated. Only construction vehicles and personnel will be allowed to use this access route.

But anyone heading to the high school also should know that all access to entrances, exits or parking on the north side of current buildings will be cut off. Only construction workers, essential deliveries and emergency responders will be allowed to access on the north side of Brush High School, with fencing blocking that access.

"We apologize for the inconvenience this will cause and thank you in advance for your patience and cooperation during the construction process," Wilson said. "We want to limit the inconvenience as much as possible."

The perimeter fencing will designate the area where construction activity will soon begin and restrict access to that area. Wilson said this is being done "for safety reasons" but that there will not be "any moving of dirt until March 5."

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The school district asked that those going to the high school after Feb. 19 and especially after March 5 factor in the restricted access and traffic snarls that are likely to result.

"Current access will be reduced to 60 percent due to the closure of entrances/exits off of Mill Street and the northernmost road to the campus off of Hospital Road," the news release stated. "Please adjust your expected time to park, drop off students, exit, and travel on campus."

There also will be more traffic from school buses, since the bus entrance and exit routes will be affected by these restrictions.

"Adherence to signage and speed limits should assist us in avoiding accidents during this exciting time of change," the release stated.

There also will be a new restriction on parking in the high school's southwest lot. It will be limited to staff and visitors. Students will need to park in the east lot.

Those headed to the weight room will have some access to parking spaces, but there are a limited number of them.

The bus drop-off and pick-up spots will stay along the south side of the building, according to the release.

"We anticipate that there will be an adjustment period as staff, students and parents get used to accessing the school differently," Brush High School Principal Rockie Schneider said. "We also expect that the traffic flow on the south side of the school will increase, which will have the effect of increasing student pickup and drop off times."

His suggestion was for everyone to get going a bit sooner if possible.

"To avoid potential issues, I would advise everyone to adjust their arrival and drop off time in the morning by five minutes, and perhaps 10 minutes, for the first week or so," Schneider said.

For those who fail to do this, there likely will be repercussions in store for showing up late.

"As far as giving leniency for tardies, the initial plan is to maintain the status quo; monitor the situation; and make adjustments as needed and appropriate," Schneider said.

Once the fencing is up and the traffic, parking and entrance restrictions take effect, the school district may find that adjustments will be needed. That may mean lighter or heavier restrictions. If that happens, the school district will "attempt to inform all impacted in a proactive manner," according to the release.

Also plans were still being formulated for dealing with traffic during basketball tournaments and graduation, Wilson said.

In the meantime, anyone with questions or concerns can contact Wilson at the Brush School District Office at 970-842-5176.

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